River City Raqs Presents:
Sadie
Sadie is an inspiration and icon to her students and fans around the world and serves to empower people through the captivating art of Oriental Dance (Bellydance). She has produced dozens of bestselling instructional videos. She has represented the art of Oriental Dance in front of millions of viewers on the hit show “America’s Got Talent”.
Sadie is the founder and director of the “Raqs Flow” training program, which enriches students with a strong foundation in technique while keeping them engaged and connected to the dance’s culture and historical roots. She recently launched a new clothing line of athletic dance wear and produces a variety of destination dance retreats around the world, taking her students on a deep journey and exploration of this incredible art form as well as their own inner selves.
Sadie lives in Denver, Colorado. She loves spending time in nature, hiking, camping and adventuring with her family. Aside from dance, Sadie has a deep passion and commitment to living and creating a holistic, sustainable lifestyle and world. She loves to combine her passions in her retreats; bringing the power of nature, dance, music, conscious living and human connection together.
When she is not busy traveling the globe she can be found teaching her award-winning bellydance classes and workshops as well as performing locally in Colorado.
Valerick
Valerick started ballet, jazz, and acrobatics at the age of nine. From the moment she took her first belly dance class with her mentor Sandra Barreras at thirteen, Valerick became fully dedicated to the study of oriental dance. At fifteen, she took her first workshop with Yousry Sharif in Puerto Rico, changing her oriental dance perspective. She has been mostly focused on Egyptian style and travels annually to New York to participate at Nourhan Sharif events.
In 2007 she spent six months taking classes in Madrid where she studied with Samara el Hayat. After her stay, she traveled to Morocco and Tunisia as part of the "Encounter of Moorish Studies" with the University of Puerto Rico. She also got the opportunity to study with outstanding Egyptian teachers such as Mahmoud Reda, Tito, Lubna, Hassan Affifi and Nervein.
While completing her BA with a major in Hispanic Studies and Comparative Literature at the University of Puerto Rico in 2009, she studied modern dance with the acclaimed choreographer Petra Bravo. In September of that same year, Valerick won the Professional Competition of the Miami Belly Dance Convention.
In 2010 she got the Second Place in the Rakstar Professional competition produced by Virginia Mendez and the People's Choice Award. Valerick is the creator of the annual Lebanese Love Affair dance festival
Leilah Moon
Leilah Moon is an award-winning professional belly dancer, who performs regularly at venues and private events throughout the DC area. Her style is firmly rooted in luscious and emotionally resonant Egyptian style dance, and people are drawn to her powerful shimmies, fluid control, and engaging presence. Leilah Moon won First Place and People's Choice awards in the highest Professional Category at the 2018 East Coast Classic Bellydance Competition.
Leilah Moon started her dance career at the age of 17 with Susquehanna University Bellydance Circle in 2008, studying further with internationally renowned instructors. She holds certifications in Sahra Saeeda's Journey Through Egypt Levels I and II. Leilah is part of the faculty at Sahara Dance in DC and teaches weekly classes and regular workshops, and has taught at major bellydance festivals such as Art of the Belly. She also performs regularly with Seven Egyptian Dance Company, a diverse ensemble specializing in folkloric Egyptian dance.
Raena
Raena is a professional belly dancer, instructor, and choreographer based out of McKinney, Texas.
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While performing, Raena captures the attention of every guest with her smile and obvious joy for belly dance. But her trademark is her lively musical interpretation and fluid, refined elegance.
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When Raena dances, she showcases her foundation of Oriental (Egyptian) Dance, with infusions of American Cabaret and Turkish styles, as well as incorporating her natural playful, feminine energy.